About Us
Mission and History
Summer Stock Stage Inc. exists to provide theater experiences for teenage students in central Indiana. Since the inception in 2003, the season has consisted of two shows, a cabaret show and a main production. Annually, the cabaret show and main production are performed 6 times over 1800 audience members.
Summer Stock Stage is an annual summer event held in June and July and is on the campus of Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, IN. Summer Stock Stage was established to provide educational opportunites to central Indiana students, free of charge. Students from over 39 different schools have been involved in this program. Summer Stock Stage strives to bring the highest production value possible. Students receive musical, theatrical and dance instruction as well as the opportunity to participate in a variety of productions. The students rehearse in the evenings and on weekends for 7-8 weeks.
Board of Directors
Emily Ristine Holloway, Chair of Board
Equity Actress
Voice-Over Artist
Kelly Butler Smith, Treasurer
Freelance Choreographer
Business Owner, Performer’s Edge
Jeanne Roberts Bowling, Secretary
Voice Instructor, Park Tudor School
Voice Instructor, Marian College
Doug Jennings, Member
Head Master, Park Tudor School
Tim Walker, Member
Delco Foods, Business Manager
Joann Kehoe, Member
Community Theatre Advocate
Ian Williams, Member
North Central High School Student
Three-year Summer Stock Stage Performer
Kirstin Brueckmann, Member
Park Tudor School Student
Summer Stock Stage Performer
Staff
Emily Ristine Holloway, Artisic Director
Emily is a founding member of Summer Stock Stage. Working in Indianapolis as an Equity actress for five years, Emily has been in productions at Beef and Boards, Civic Theater, American Cabaret Theater, Phoenix Theater, and Indiana Repertory Theater. Her favorite roles include: Cinderella in Into the Woods, Lily in The Secret Garden, Phoebe in As You Like It, Felicity in A Christmas Carol, Kay Banks(the bride) in Father of the Bride and Shelley in Bat Boy!; the Musical and Hope in Urinetown. While attending DePauw University, Emily took a contract with Walt Disney World where she performed in over 500 shows. In addition to theater, Emily works as a studio singer recording for Music Theater International, directs school theater, and does film and commercial work.
Jeanne Roberts Bowling, Assistant Artistic Director/Musical Director
Jeanne is Assistant Director of choirs and teaches voice at Park Tudor School. At Marian College , she is director of Women's Chorus and Voice Instructor. Jeanne has a Bachelor's of Music in Voice Performance from DePauw University and Master's work in Music Technology. Jeanne has taught singers of all levels for 15 years. She is the Kightlinger and Gray 2003 Outstanding Arts Educator for her work in secondary vocal teaching.
Jeanne, a founding member of Summer Stock Stage, has been Musical Director for all of Summer Stock Stage productions as well as local productions of 42nd Street, Anything Goes and West Side Story and choral and ensemble performing groups. She has worked in diverse production capacities at the Phoenix Theatre, Starlight Musicals, Warren Central High School and Park Tudor School.
In addition to her teaching, Jeanne maintains an active professional career in the Indianapolis area in liturgical and concert music and musical theatre. Performing roles include: The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Anna Maurrant in Street Scene, Fiona in Brigadoon and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. She has performed with Indianapolis Opera, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Beef N’ Boards Dinner Theatre, Civic Theatre, Red Barn Summer Theatre, Buck Creek Players, WTHR-NBC, and in Local Commercial and Industrial Film.
Kelly Butler Smith, Choreographer
Kelly has been seen on a variety of stages in the Indianapolis area. Some of her favorite roles include Polly in Crazy for You , Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, and Nancy in Oliver. Kelly also has choreographed many musicals at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Edyvean Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, the Children’s Museum and Buck Creek Players. Kelly started the Young Adult Program at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre which gives young people a chance to work on a musical with a professional staff. This successful program has continued for almost 15 years and many of its graduates have gone on to do professional theatre as adults.
Besides appearing on stage, Kelly has done some commercials for television as well as voice work for area radio stations. She has been an Artist in Residence for the Indiana Arts Commission, a Master Artist with Very Special Arts of Indiana, and has served on many boards in the arts community in Indianapolis.
Kelly currently teaches at the Performer’s Edge Studio in Carmel with Ron Morgan and freelances her choreography work to various schools and theatres. She holds a Business degree and a Theatre Performance degree from Miami University in Ohio. She is married to her husband, Brian and has two children, Hillary and Nick. Kelly is a founding member of Summer Stock Stage.
Kyle Ragsdale, Art Desinger
Kyle is the art designer at Summer Stock Stage. He is primarily a painter and is the curator of the Harrison Gallery in downtown Indianapolis. Kyle has been painting full time for 15 years and currently is curator for the Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis. Recent honors include first prize at Masterpiece in a Day, final round at Art v. Art, a fellowship to the Vermont Studio Center, and posters for Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s 25th anniversary Symphony on the Prairie summer series and the 2006 Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis. Last year Kyle was awarded a grant from the Art Council to travel Europe with the conductor of the symphony and draw inspiration for his works. While Kyle's work continues to vary in focus, inevitably most pieces relate back to history, memory, relationships, and community.
Visit Kyle's work on the web www.kyleragsdale.com.
